Davisons of Missouri,Virginia, Tennessee....

Michael McDearmon Family

1. MICHAEL1 MCDEARMAN was born Abt. 1719, and died 1765 in Prince Edward Co, Va. He married KATHERINE LNU. She was born Abt. 1719, and died in Prince Edward Co, Va.

Notes for MICHAEL MCDEARMAN:Records show Michael McDearmondroe married to Katherine Last Name Unknown,with a son Brian.

The early land deeds in the American Colonies usually described the land as"bounded" by streams, swamps, and adjacent land owners; and by corners marked bya specific oak, cypress, dogwood, or other kind of tree; and sometimes by astake or rock. In Virginia Act of 1748, governing "processing" of lands andtheir boundaries and corners, was in force when Prince Edward County wasorganized in 1753 - 1754. The law provided that "the bounds of every person'sland shall be processioned or gone 'round every four years, and the landmarksrenewed". The first processioning was done between June 1 and September 1,1751. A second deed for four hundred acres acquired by John Davidson, on filein Prince Edward County, probably was a duplicate or confirmation of the 1742deed and related to this system of "processing". Anyhow, the Parish was dividedinto precincts; and two or more (usually three) "intelligent, honest,freeholders" were to procession the land every four years; and after the thirdtime the land lines would be considered correct and permanent. William Davidsonand neighbors Robert Atkins, Michael McDearmon, John Clark, John Owens, andothers who also witnessed Davidson's Wills, invoices, and Marriages were amongthe first processioners from Bush River and Mountain Creek to Sandy Creek..THE MICHAEL AND DUDLEY McDEARMON FAMILIES OF VIRGINIA

The name of the McDearmon families were variously spelled in wills, marriages,censuses, and other records in Prince Edward County, Virginia, during the 1700's,McDearmondroe, McDearmonroe, McDearmond, McDearmanroe, McDearman, andMcDearmon.Two Scotch-Irish settlements, both under the leadership of John Caldwell, weremade in "Southside" Virginia, one of Cub Creek in Brunswick County, nowCharlotte; the other on Buffalo River in Amelia, now Prince Edward, about 1735. The Scotch-Irish generally moved in companies and made their homes in asettlement, for he threefold purpose of mutual protection against the rigors ofthe wilderness, of maintaining social contacts, and convenience of religiousworship.The first Scotch-Irish name to appear in the Amelia County Court Orders is thatof Michael McDearmond (as spelled). He appeared as witness at the April, 1737,Court. Two months later he made oath that he had not received any allowanceprovided by lay for bringing persons into the colony, and the Court ordered thetestimony certified, evidently to the Council of the State.The March 1754 Court directed the sheriff to summon twenty-four "of the mostcapable freeholders" of Prince Edward to serve as a grand jury at the May Court. The first grand jury included MICHAEL McDEARMON and JAMES McMACKLIN.An act of 1748 provided that " the bounds of every person's land shall beprocessioned or gone "round every four years", and the landmarks renewed. County courts divided each parish into precincts, and appointed for eachprecinct two or more "intelligent, honest freeholders" to procession eachperson's land, the persons present at the processioning, the lands which werenot processioned, and the reasons for not processing them. The church wardenswere required to give notice at church, at least three days in advance, of theprecincts in which the lands were to be processioned and the names of theprocessioners. Three processionings (at four year intervals) fixed theboundaries permanently, unless disputed whence the court jurors and surveyorswere needed to settle disputes. Such was the orderly procedure of establishingproperty ownership.The first processioning in Prince Edward County was ordered September 12, 1759oto be done between October 10 and March 31, 1760. In the precinct in thefork of Sandy River, form the Sandy River Church Road to Griffin's Road, theprocessioners were MICHAEL McDEARMON, Thomas Clark, John Clark, and John Owen. One of the families in that precinct was that of JOSHUA DAVIDSON, who had bought200 acres on Little Sandy Creek from John Owen in 1755.In 1760, the Church vestry, its duty to care for the needy, paid Michael McDearmon two pounds, three shillings for caring for a man with a case ofsmallpox.Michael McDearmondro (as spelled) made his Will, January 30, 1765. He named hiswife, Katherine; daughter Judith, sons Dudley, Brian, and James. He appointedhis good friends Richard Woodson, Richard Burks, and Thomas Owen his Executors. The Will was witnessed by his neighbors John Clarke, Alexander Womack, and JamesRutledge Junior. The Will was presented to the Court, and probated May, 1765,by Thomas Owen. The Will read as follows:IN THE NAME OF GOD AMEN, I Michael McDearmondro of the Parish of St. Patrick county of Prince Edward being sick and weak in body but of sound in memorypraised be God do make ordain this my last Will and Testament in mannerfollowing, Viz.Imprimis-First in order I bequeath my Soul into the hand of Almighty God myMaker and Redeemer hoping through the meritorious Death passion of JesusChrist my Savior Redeemer, to receive free pardon of my sins and my body to beburied at the discretion of my Executors hereafter named.Imprimis-I order all my just debts to be paid by me Executors and for thatpurpose I desire that my home and tract of land wheron I now live may be sold assoon as convenient may be sold at public sale and the amount over that is overand above paying my debts to be equally divided between my wife Katharine mydaughter Judith my two sons Brian James only paying my son Dudley, tenpounds.Item-I give and bequeath to my beloved Wife Katherine a feather bed furniture and best in my house and bedsted and after her decease to my daughterJudith.Item-I give and bequeath to my Son, James the next best bed in my house andfurniture.Item-I give and bequeath to my Son, Brian the other bed and furniture theremaining part of my household goods I desire to be equally divided between mywife and daughter Judith two sons Brian James my cattle I desire to beequally divided between my wife and Daughter Brian 7 James I also desirethat my bay Colt be sold at public sale my grinstone two wedges to my sonJames also I give bequeath to my son James a Jack plow 7 pole ax Sie grubing hoe 7 I give and bequeath to my Son Brian a plow hoe and ax grubinghoe and I desire ten barrels of corn to be sold for the maintenance of thefamily and the Stock, and I do hereby constitute appoint my good friendsRichard Woodson, Richard Burks Thomas Owen, Executors of this my Willdeclaring this to by my last Will Testament hereby revoking all former Willby me made preceeding this date.Given under my hand seal this thirty day January one thousand seven hundredfive hears.hisMichel X McDearmondromarkSigned Sealed as his lastWill and Testament in presenceofJohn ClarkehisAlex. d. X Womack markJames Rultledge, Jun.Michael and Katherine's children:Of daughter Judith, we know nothing but the Will's remarks.Both Brian (Bryan) and James served in the Revolutionary War. James died inService. Brian died in 1829 in Prince Edward County.Dudley probably was the oldest son. In 1785, he and his family were "nine whitesouls"; and Bryant's family was eight white souls. Neither, apparently, left aWill.The records of Dudley McDearmonroe (McDearmon) Family are:In 1762 Dudley McDearmon was appointed Constable by the Prince Edward Court. In1766 he was one of several patrollers who were deputized to inspect passes ofNegro slaves, and visit slave quarters to see that there were no clandestinemeetings to plot insurrections. The pay was twenty pounds of tobacco per day!Dudley Mcdearmonroe (as spelled) when he signed the appraisement of JoshuaDavidson's Estate in 1771, was one of the four men who made the Inventory of hispersonal property. The document was filed in WILL BOOK 1, August 19, soon afterJoshua's death.

Joshua Davidson Junior obtained a marriage license July 13, 1786, and marriedMary McDearmon, daughter of Dudley Mcdearmon September 26.George Davidson, younger brother of Joshua, married "Creasy" (Lucretia) McDearmon, daughter of Dudley McDearmon "who consents, February 9, 1790. Thesetwo Davidson brothers were sons of Joshua Davidson Senior and his wife Sarah,who named them in her WILL in 1808. (Geo., 7 Lucretia, my line!)Sarah McDearmon, daughter of Dudley McDearmon, married Alexander Womack December27, 1798. (Probably Alex., Junior).This accounts for three of Dudley's nine white souls enumerated in 1785. Someof the other McDearmons recorded in Prince Edward County may have been Dudley'ssons.Dudley's wife may have been the daughter of James McMacklin who, in 1754, servedon the jury with Michael McDearmon. Lucretia's second son, Bracket Davidson,named one of his sons Milton McMacklin Davidson in 1830..In the Descendants of Charles Hudson Of Hanoverwe find that land was sold to him from Michael McDeermuntroe to Charles Hudson "of the County of Hanoer, Gentleman". 1 Deed Book 509..In the Book "History of Prince Edward County"You will find the names:McDearmon, Dudley, pg 56McDearmon, James, 168, 169, 186, 188 190, 210, 218, 221, 2265, 231, 675, 679McDearmon, John R., 195, 357, 675, 789McDearmon, Michael, 10, 27, 46, 72McDearmon, Samuel, 190McDearmon, Samuel D., 195, 226, 386, 674, 687, 688, 757McDearmonroe, Bryant, 43McDearmonroe, James, 138McDearmonroe, Dudley, 36

Notes for JAMES MCDEARMAN:McDearmon or McDearmondroe.served in the 4th VA Reg.- pvt.Dr. James R. McDearmon, of Walkers Church, Prince Edward County was oneof eighteen physicians that voted in Prince Edward County.

2. DUDLEY2 MCDEARMAN (MICHAEL1) was born Abt. 1744 in Prince Edward Co., Va, and died in Va. He married FNU MCMACKLIN.

Notes for DUDLEY MCDEARMAN:also known as Dudley McDearmonroe and McDermonServed in the Rev Army as a Lt. son served also.Officer- enlisted 1752Regt. de Rothe.Constables/Magistrates in Prince Edward County(1766) there were deputized freemen(constables) to patrol and inspect passes of slaves found away from home. Payment was 20 pounds of tobacco a day, one such manwas Dudley McDermonroe(1762)..

Notes for JOSHUA DAVISON:Joshua Davidson, Junior, was born in 1759, according to Revolutionary Warpension records. He married Mary McDearmon, daughter of Dudley Mcdearmon (andgrand-daughter of Michael McDearmon and his wife Katherine) September 26, 1786(though the license was issued July 13).Joshua was given Virginia Warrant 3089 for land in the Ohio District, August 8, 1782, later the state of Kentucky. In 1834, still resident in Fleming County, Kentucky, Joshua made deposition in Court that John Baldwin was a Revolutinary soldier, born in 1762 in Amelia County, Virginia, serving in 1780 and 1781/ The said John became Josuja's brother-in-law in 1791(marrying the youngest sister, Sally).

More About JOSHUA DAVISON:Burial: Franklin Cemetery, Johnson County, Indiana, DAR has bronze tablet on grave

Notes for THOMAS MCDEARMAN:McDEARMAN, THOMAS:s32401Born June 12, 1752, in Anson County, N. C. He was drafted at the commencement of the Revolutionary War for a period of three months, serving under Captain Henry Council. Not long after he was again called into service and was for three months under Captain John Goodbolt, Colonel William Davis. His third term of service was under Captain Samuel Foxworth, whose detachment joined Colonel Baxter and his forces while a fourth term, which lasted for forty days, was under Captain Joseph Hudson and Colonel Baxter. After receiving his discharge from this detachment he volunteered under Capt. Lewis Harroll and Col. Hugh Ellis. When he entered the service he resided near the Cheraw Hills in South Carolina. He was in the battle at Beaufort and in several skirmishes. After the War he resided in Tennessee, Mississippi and Alabama. He was residing in Pickens County, Ala, December 11, 1833, and in Lauderdale County, Miss., July 12, 1839. Â— Jones and Gandrud, Alabama Records, vol. 72, Pickens County, p. 89-90. .Annual allowance $34.44. When he entered the service he was residing near the Cheraw hills in SC. After the war he resided in TN, MS, and Al. .s32401, SC Line, was the son of Dudley McDearman, and was born in Prince Edward County, Va he lived there at enl later moved to Amelia Co., VA and also enl there in 1780, sol's father srv srv as a Lt in the Rev Army, the sol Thomas McDearman appl 3 Sep 1832 Charlotte Co., Va, sol d 24 May 1838 leaving children who were not named in the claim.

3. BRYAN2 MCDEARMON, (ROE) (MICHAEL1 MCDEARMAN) was born Abt. 1756 in Prince Edward Co., Va male over 45, 1 male 10-16, 1 female 26-45, 2 females under 10 in 1810 census of Prince Edward County, Va, and died 1829 in Prince Edward Co, WVa ( could have died 1813 in Prince Edward per Peter Witt). He married SYLVANIE 1776 in Prince Edwards Co., Virginia. She was born 1757 in Prince Edward Co., Va.

Notes for BRYAN MCDEARMON, (ROE):Also recorded as McDearmon at times.BRYAN McDEARMONROE

Bryan (or Bryant) McDearmonroe was the second son of Michael and Katherine McDearmonroe (d.1765) of Amelia county(1). Born around 1732, he fought in the French and Indian War under Col. Byrd, for which he claimed a land bounty in May 1780(2). His older brother James McDearmonroe was a casualty of the Revolution(3).

In the 1763 Amelia county tithables list Bryant McDearmonroe is located in the upper portion of Nottoway parish(4). Following his father's death in 1765, Bryan MacDearman of Prince Edward purchased 644 acres in Amelia county from Lawrence Brown, adjoining Truehart, Richard Forrest and Isham Vaughan(5). In 1767 Bryan, now of Amelia, sold a portion of this land to satisfy his debt to John Fisher of Chesterfield. In 1773 Bryant McDearmanroe "of Prince Edward" and John Fisher "merchant of Osbornes, Chesterfield" sold 50 acres of this land for 30 pounds(6).

By patent of 1 March 1781, Bryan McDearmonroe acquired 300 acres on both sides of Rough Creek in western Prince Edward county, adjoining the land of Hinge, Lovel, Arnold Co(7). The Land Tax Books for 1782 through 1795 show Bryan's holdings limited to these 300 acres(8). Bryan deeded 200 of these acres to his son Richard McDearmonroe ("of Nottoway") in 1796. The same year he bought forty acres from William Paris and sold 50 acres to John Wilson(9).

The Personal Property Tax Rolls indicate that Bryan McDearmonroe owned no slaves, and that his younger sons were living with him until 1800 (Drury) and 1806 (Joseph)(10). He had 2-3 horses during the period 1797 until 1809 when he became "levy free."

Bryan McDearmon died after 23 April 1812, when he conveyed to his son James McDearmon Sr(11) "one certain tract Â… lying on both sides of Rough Creek Â…containing by estimation one hundred acresÂ….(12)" This was the residue of the tract Bryan had purchased in 1781. James McDearmon Sr sold this land to his brother Richard in 1814, binding himself to record the deed. However he died in 1816 and a survey of the property showed the tract to contain 219 acres, rather than the 100 Bryan had estimated in his deed to his son in 1812. This discrepancy led to a suit brought by Richard McDearmon against his brothers and sisters who sought to be reimbursed for their father's oversight. The suit was settled 11 September 1830, when the commissioners awarded the 219 acres to James McDearmon, heir of Richard McDearmon, but required payment to Bryan's heirs for the overage(13). The dispute led to an estrangement among Bryan's children. He and his wife Sylvany(14) had eight children; I am not certain of their order of birth:

(3) Richard McDearmon (1766-Oct. 31, 1829)(15). He is the founder of our line. Richard McDearmon wed Letitia Ford on March 14, 1789 in Amelia County according to the minister's return of the Rev. John Finney (Methodist)(16). Letitia McDearmon was born on December 31, 1768, and died January 30, 1851 in Appomattox Co.(17)

The only child was:(a) James McDearmon (1790-1867) married Mary Daniel (1788-1866), the daughter of Capt John and Sarah (Cunningham) Daniel. They had:

*e John Hampden McDearmon (Sept. 25, 1850-Apr. 29, 1885) married Sarah J. Wright, the daughter of Pryor Wright. No issue. (ii) John Richard McDearmon MD (Sept. 27, 1817-May 23, 1876) married Martha Ada Baker (b.1859), the daughter of Joe J. Baker. He graduated from Hampden-Sydney College and the Baltimore College of Physicians and Surgeons. He married a month, to the day, before he was murdered on the porch at Mt Evergreen. The perpetrators were never brought to justice. No issue.

(iv) William James McDearmon (May 10, 1822-Nov. 25, 1845) married Cornelia Morris, daughter of Col John Morris of Buckingham Co. He died attempting to intervene in an altercation between his brother Sam McDearmon and a lawyer Coleman May.

(v) Margaret Jane McDearmon (May 19, 1824-March 3, 1863) married (1) James Robertson (1804-1849); (2) the Rev. William Williams Stickley (1809-1862), as his third wife. (See under James McDearmon for her issue.)

(6) Joseph McDearmon (d.1835) lived in Powhatan and Prince Edward where he died, naming his "esteemed nephew Capt James McDearmon" executor(19). His wife was Sarah Gill. They had: (20)

(a) James Archibald McDearmon married Mrs Elizabeth (Hopkins) Miller, the daughter of William and Sallie M. (Massie) Hopkins of Goochland(21). In 1846, they moved to Gibson, Tenn. They had at least: (i) James Calvin McDearmon (b. June 13, 1844) in New Canton, Buckingham Co. He was reared in Tennessee. He served in the 12th Infantry, Cheatham's Division of the Tennessee Volunteers?, was wounded at Murfreesboro and at Franklin, before surrendering with Johnston at Durham in 1865. He was representative from the 9th district in Tennessee to Congress, 1893-97. He married Theodora McCulloch, daughter of M.T. McCulloch of Hayward, Tenn.

(ii) Mattie Emeline McDearmon (b. July 13, 1857) married William Jason Davidson. She was born in Tennessee.

(7) James R. McDearmonroe married (bond) February 1, 1804 Susannah Puckett, daughter of David Puckett of Prince Edward county. She was the sister of Nancy Puckett, who married Drury McDearmon. James R. McDearmon died in Goochland in 1816. They had: (23)

(a) Judge James Robertson McDearmon (1805-1848) married in 1826 Martha Ganaway (1802-1889), the daughter of Gregory Gannaway (1753-1804) and Rhoda Robertson (d.1850)(24). He was state auditor of Missouri and a candidate for governor at the time of his death. James and Martha McDearmon had:

(d) Frances Ann McDearmon married Edmund Gannaway, the son of Gregory and Rhoda (Robertson) Gannaway, and brother of Martha who married James R. McDearmon. (25)

(8) Sarah McDearmon was still a child at the 1810 census and unmarried in July 1830.(26)

1- See the will of Michael McDearmandro: Prince Edward Co. Wills 1754-1776 p.71. Exx. Richard Woodson, Richard Burks, Thomas Owen. Witt. John Clark, Alexander Womack, James Rutledge Jun. His brother "Micail, son of Micail and Catherine Mikedermond Born 25 febr 1733 Bapt 15 May 1734" (Bristol parish register) gives the time frame of Bryan's birth. 2- Prince Edward Co. Court Orders 6 p.69. See Herbert C. Bradshaw, History of Prince Edward County, Virginia (Richmond: Dietz, 1955) p.43.3- Prince Edward Co. Court Orders 7 p.170.4- Amelia County, Virginia Tax Lists 1736-1764 (Miami: TLC Genealogy 1993)5- Amelia Co. Deed Book 9 p.217 2 September 1765 recorded 22 October 1767. Thomas Brown, Frederick "X" Vaughan, Isham "X" Vaughan.6- Amelia Co. Deed Book 12 p.199 20 September 1773.7- Patent Book D p.772 1 March 1781.8- The Land Tax Book for 1782 shows Bryan's brother Dudley also in Prince Edward with 150 acres.9- Prince Edward Co. Deed Book 10 p.443 3 March (Richard); p. 493 15 April (Wilson); p. 505 15 April (Paris).10- Joseph is called "Josiah." In 1809 he is listed on his own.11- James McDearmon Jr is the son of Richard and Letitia (Ford) McDearmon and nephew of James Sr.12- Prince Edward Co. Deed Book 14 pp.630-1.13- Prince Edward Co. Deed Book 20 p.353. The dispute (McDearmon v. McDearmon) is spread out in the court orders of the county from 1814 to 1837. 14- Sylvany is mentioned in a deed of trust for the benefit of Robert Kelso: Prince Edward Co. Deed Book 14 p.159-60. Consider Sylvanie Norvelle. The name Norvelle crops up among the descendants of his son Richard (Norvel Cornelia Rogers); Joseph (Mary Novella McDearmon); and James (William Norvelle McDearmon). Or Rutledge.15- His date of death is from a copy of the Calhoun? Bible register, which also says he was 103. The North Bible, in the possession of Virginia (North) Buckley and Elizabeth (North) Wallace of Lynchburg says "aged 63." His will was proved in Prince Edward, Will Book 7 pp.101-2.16- See Kathleen B. Williams, Marriages of Amelia county, Virginia 1735-1815 (1961) p.70. Surety Alberry (Aubrey) Ford. Two years earlier on Feb. 26, 1787, their (probable) respective siblings contracted to marry: Michael McDearmon and Sally Ford; Henry Ford surety and Garret Ford saying she is of age. Amelia Co. Will Book 2 p.271-2 (1778) records the will of Frederick Ford, who has a son Albrey. Among the nine named children however, there is no Lette, Sally, Henry or Garret. Alberry Foard's will (written 17 November 1820) is recorded 21 August 1821: Nottoway Co. Wills 4 p.335-6. He gives his house and land to daughter Frances Foard, and one featherbed and furniture to granddaughter Elizabeth Foard. "[M]y other children I hope will be satisfied with the advancements made them heretoforeÂ…." Nottoway Order Book 14 (1846-1854) p.97 records the conveyance to James McDearmon of land from Frances Foard 3 February 1848. The land in question was that willed by Alberry Foard to his daughter Frances. 17- The North Bible gives her birthday and says she died Jan. 3; the Calhoun? register Jan. 30.18- The North Bible. See also Stuart McD. Farrar 1850 Census of Appomattox County, Virginia (Pamplin, Va: 1975) #335 p.41; 1860 U.S. Census of Appomattox County, Virginia (Pamplin, Va: 1984) #422 p.51; and Nathaniel Ragland Featherston, History of Appomattox (Marceline Mo: Walsworth Bros, 1948) p.231 p.128 (Cawthorn).19- Prince Edward Co. Will Book 7 pp.399-400. Proved May 18, 1835.20- John Howard Brown, ed. Cyclopedia of American Biographies (Boston: Federal Book Co, 1903) v.5 p.227 gives the ancestry of Congressman James C. McDearmon including his grandparents Joseph and Sarah (Gill) McDearmon.21- William Hopkins (1784-1854) was the son of Col John Hopkins (d.1807) whose niece Anne Smith (1755-1795) married Daniel Trigg. Walter Lee Hopkins, Hopkins of Virginia and Related Families (Richmond: J.W. Ferguson, 1931) p.?22- Letter from Mrs C.B. Hynson, 1315 Webster St New Orleans to Stuart Farrar Feb. 10, 1956. She does not know the parents of George Gill McDearmon. Gill probably refers to his mother Sarah Gill McDearmon.23- Virkus, Compendium of American Genealogy p. James McDearmonroe had dropped "roe" by the time of his death in 1816.24- Virginia Magazine of History and Biography v.37 p.317. Their descendants are from a list given me by Fielding McDearmon of San Francisco.25- Virginia Magazine of History and Biography v.37 p.31726- At the July 1830 Court of Prince Edward county in the continuing suit brought by Richard McDearmon against his brothers and sisters, Sarah McDearmon is listed under that name while her only other sister bears her married name "Elizabeth McD. Hargrove."

4. ELIZABETH LUCRETIA CREASEY3 MCDEARMAN (DUDLEY2, MICHAEL1) was born January 1, 1769 in Prince Edward Co, Va, and died January 1, 1861 in Polk Co. Mo. She married GEORGE WASHINGTON DAVISON February 9, 1790 in Prince Edwards, Virginia. He was born 1762 in Prince Edward Co, Va, and died June 14, 1838 in Maury Co, Tn.

Notes for ELIZABETH LUCRETIA CREASEY MCDEARMAN:George Davidson married "Creasey" McDearmon, daughter of Dudley McDearmon,February 9, 1790. She was born in Prince Edward County, Virginia, in the latterhalf of 1768 or the first half of 1769. (She was 81 years old in the 1850census; so she was about 21 when she married George Davidson; and 70 when hedied in 1838.) John Brackett (Sarah's brother) was Surety.We do not know exactly when George and Lucretia moved their family from Virginiato Tennessee. Three of their children, and perhaps four or more, were born inVirginia; but their last child, Susan, was born in Maury County, Tennessee, in1816. The family must have been in Maury County, however, in September, 1814,when two sons, Joshua and Bracket, volunteered for six months service in the Warof 1812. Bracket, the younger, was 17--nearing his 18th birthday (November 17). Bracket was wounded "on the evening of December 23, 1814, being engaged with theenemy at or near a place called New Orleans."The County records of land deeds show that their father, George Davidson, bought100 acres May 20, 1816, from Samuel Polk for $200. The land was on Flat Creek,a tributary to Duck Creek, in northeastern Maury County.Samuel Polk's son, James Knox Polk, became the 11th President of the UnitedStates, serving one term (1845-1849). The Polks had lived in MecklenburgCounty, North Carolina, and were neighbors (related by marriage) to the Davidsonfamilies of that county and Iredell. Tradition is that the Davidsons of NorthCarolina and Prince Edward County, Virginia, were closely related; but exactlyhow is not known.George Davidson died in 1838, in Maury County, Tennessee. He must have beenburied near his home but there is no stone extant. Lucretia was 69 or 70 whenGeorge died. Their sons, Joshua and Bracket, had moved to Missouri.

Page 343 of November, 1838, Court reads: On motion and it appearing to thesatisfaction of the Court that George Davidson, late of Maury County is dead andthat he died in said County of Maury intestate leaving effects in said County ofMaury to be administered. It is therefore ordered by the Court that letters ofadministration on the estate of said deceased issue to Henry W. Derryberry Robert A. Glenn who executed bond in the sum of four thousand dollars withWilliam Swain and David Fogliman their securities who were selected by the Courtas sufficient security and thereupon said Henry W. Derryberry and Robert A.Glenn were duly qualified as administrators of said deceased and receivedletters of administration.Page 345 reads: Ordered by the Court that Wiley Brown, John Lee Hosea Batemanbe appointed commissioners to lay off one years provisions for LucretiaDavidson, widow of George Davidson deceased make report to the next term ofthis Court.Page 351 reads: H.W. Derryberry one of the administrators of George Davidsondeceased returned into Court an inventory on amount of sales of the property ofthe estate of said dec'd which were received by the Court ordered to berecorded.Page 353 reads: The commissioners appointed to lay off one years provision toLucretia Davidson widow of George Davidson dec'd returned to December Court 1838an assignment of a years provision which was approved by the Court ordered tobe recorded.Page 376 reads: Henry W. Derryberry one of the administrators of the Estate ofGeorge Davidson dec'd returned an account of sale of a Negro girl Solo under anorder of the Circuit Court which was received by the Court and ordered to berecorded. (This was ordered on February 1839.)George and Lucretia issue:1) Mary A. born about 1791 married Thomas Brockman, living in Polk County,Missouri, in 1843.2) Joshua born July 11, 1793 - died October 13, 1850 according to his headstonein an old cemetery about one mile south of Geo. Washington Carver monument inNewton County, Missouri. He married Elizabeth Glover November 25, 1819, inMaury County, Tennessee. He moved his family to Washington Township, NewtonCounty, Missouri, before son Stephen was born in 1833. Ten other children,including son, George, and daughters Mary, Sarah, and Nancy.3) Bracket born November 17, 1796 - died September 29, 1863 was born in Virginia, and married Delilah Hardison August 3, 1817, Maury County, Tennessee. Issue - 14 children, including Joshua (1835-1908). Moved to Polk County,Missouri, around 1838 where he died and was buried in Atterbury Cemetery, DallasCounty, Missouri.4) Sally born ca. 1798 - died before 1841 married George Davidson in MauryCounty, Tennessee, about 1815. One issue, Miles Davidson, born about 1816according to Census of Polk County, Missouri, 1850, where grandmother Lucretia,81, was living with him, a wife, and one child.5) Nancy married Peter Lawrence. Both deceased in 1843 or before. Issue Lucyand Hannah, minors in 1843.6) Susan born ca. 1816, Tenn - ??? married a Johnson man, lived in Kentucky whentheir daughter Lucretia was born (1835); in Tennessee when daughter Mary wasborn 1837; and Missouri when last four children were born (1848-1846).7) Miles was an orphan in 1841, entitled to his mother's share of the GeorgeDavidson estate. Miles was Lucretia and George Davidson's grandson (son oftheir daughter Sally Davidson and her husband who was a George Davidson). OnMarch 11, 1846, Lucretia gave a Bill of Sale of personal property (recorded inBook Am, page 438, in Newton County, Missouri, Courthouse) which reads: Inconsideration of the natural and affection which I have toward my grandson Milas(sic) Davidson, I give all my goods, chattles, money, and effects of whatevernature-one yoke oxen, one wagon, 2 feather beds, all the furniture householdand kitchen. It was signed X her mark. She was 77 years old.In 1850, the Census shows that Lucretia was age 81, living in Polk CountyMissouri, with Miles Davidson, age 34; his wife Sarah, age 22; and son GeorgeW., age 2.Miles had bought 40 acres in section 31, township 34, range 21, in Polk County,Missouri, from Durette Barclay for $50 on June 28, 1834. Durette's wife wasLucretia Davison, daughter of Delilah and Bracket Davidson who lived near Miles'new land purchase. His aunt, Mary A. (Davidson) Brockman, also lived in EasternPolk County. That cemetery was bull-dozed out when a new highway wasconstructed many years later. My brother, Gus, and I talked to the presentowner who showed me some of the broken stones.The 1820 Census of Maury County gave George and Lucretia's ages as over 45,which meant born before 1775. She was 51.The 1830 Census of Maury County lists George and Lucretia in age group 60-69,indicating their births between 1761 and 1770.On November 26, 1834, George Davidson had bought 70 acres on Flat Creek for $140from William K. Hill. (Hill's original grant No. 452). This tract adjoined thePolk place on the South.George sold 220 acres on Flat Creek September 12, 1835, to Joseph Powers for$800 and signed his mark. Next, he sold 90 acres to William Williford on LittleFlat Creek, October 14, 1835.Lucretia was sixty-nine years of age when her husband, George Davidson, died inMaury County, Tennessee. Their sons, Joshua and Bracket, had moved theirfamilies to Missouri - Joshua to Newton County about 1833 and Bracket to PolkCounty in 1837.Lucretia had moved to Newton County, Missouri, to be with (or near) her eldestson, Joshua. He was given the Power of Attorney by and for George's heirs onMay 24, 1841; June 14, 1841; and June 1, 1843.In 1841, Joshua Davidson, son of George Davidson who had died in 1838, was givenPower of Attorney to settle the estate of George Davidson, deceased. Thefollowing documents were executed-

"To Joshua Davidson, Power of Attorney, from: I, Bracket Davidson of the Countyof Polk and State of Missouri do make, constitute, and appoint Joshua Davidsonof Newton County and State aforesaid my true and lawful attorney for me and inmy name and for my use to ask, demand, and sue for cover and receive all sum orsums of money debts in any wise coming to me from the estate of my father,George Davidson, deceased of the State of Tennessee and County of Maury,etc.-in witness whereof I have set my hand and seal this 14th day of June A.D.1841.Bracket Davidson"(Recorded Maury County, p 157, Vol 1, Book Y, August 4, 1841)"To Joshua Davidson, Power of Attorney from Lucretia Davidson widow of GeorgeDavidson, deceased formerly of Maury County, Tennessee, Mary Davidson and SusanJohnson, heirs and daughters of said George Davidson, deceased and MilesDavidson, son of heirs of Sally Davidson, deceased, who was also a daughter ofGeorge Davidson, deceased, all of the County of Newton, State of Missouri."her(signed) Lucretia X DavisonmarkherMary X DavisonmarkherSusan X Johnsonmarkher (his?)Miles X Davisonmark

On the 24th day of May, 1841, personally appeared before me, William Sexton,Clerk of the County Court of Newton County, Lecresia Davison, Mary Davison,Susan Johnson, and Miles Davison, who are known to me to be the persons whosigned and sealed the foregoing instrument.(All spelling as in the record, p 158, Vol 1, Book y, reg)The above and other instruments indicate that Bracket and his father's peoplechanged the spelling from Davidson to Davison and must have made that decisionin the early 1830's while still in Tennessee.Maury County, Tennessee, Court minutes:p. 343--Nov 1838--Administration issued to Henry W. Derryberry Robert A.Glenn, for estate of GEORGE DAVIDSON who died in Maury County intestate,$4000.00 bond.p. 345--Nov 1838--Committee appointed to lay off years provisions for LUCRETIADAVIDSON, widow of GEORGE DAVIDSON.p. 351--Dec term 1838--HENRY W. DERRYBERRY returned inventory of GEORGE DAVIDSON.p. 353--Dec term 1838--Years provisions allowed for LUCRETIA DAVIDSON, widow ofGEORGE DAVIDSON.p. 376--Feb 1839--Account of sale by Henry W. Derryberry, one of the administrators of estate of GEORGE DAVIDSON.

Maury County, Tennessee, Deed Book Vol I, Book Y, p. 157 dated 14 June 1841 -Reg 4 Aug 1841 BRACKETT DAVIDSON of Polk Co. Mo to JOSHUA DAVIDSON of Newton Co.Mo. Power of Attorney "to ask, demand and sue for cover and receive all sum orsums of money, debts anywise coming to me from the estate of my father, GEORGEDAVIDSON, deceased, formerly of Maury Co."-signed Brackett Davidson.Vol I, Book Y, p 158 dated 24 May 1841--Reg 4 Aug 1841 LUCRETIA DAVIDSON, widowof GEORGE DAVIDSON, dec'd, formerly of Maury Co., Tenn., MARY DAVIDSON SUSANJOHNSON, Heirs and daughters of said GEORGE DAVIDSON, dec'd and MILES DAVIDSONson and heir of SALLY DAVIDSON, dec'd who was also a daughter of said George,all of Newton Co., Missouri, appoint JOSHUA DAVIDSON Power of Attorney, toreceived money for us from estate of George Davidson.1Z/513 1 June 1843BRACKETT DAVIDSON, guardian of persons and estate of LUCY LAWRENCE HANNAHLAWRENCE minor heirs of Peter Lawrence, dec'd of Polk Co. Mo., appoint EZRAHARDISON of Maury Co. Tenn., Power of Attorney to receive from Adm. of GEORGEDAVIDSON, dec'd of Maury Co., shares of Lucy Hannah, being 2/3 of shares ofNancy Peter Lawrence dec'd of the State of Arkansas, heirs of said GEORGEDAVIDSON.1Z/514 1 June 1843THOMAS BROCKMAN et ux MARY A. of Polk Co., Mo. Power of Attorney to EZRA

HARDISON of Maury Co. to receive from Robert A. Glenn administrator of theestate of GEORGE DAVIDSON, dec'd late of Maury Co., our share of the estatebeing 1/3 shares of Nancy Pere Lawrence, dec'd late of the State of Arkansas,heirs of GEORGE DAVIDSON.Joshua Davidson - brother of Brackett - married Elizabeth Ann Glover. They werein Newton Co. Mo. by 1850 as shown by the census of that year. Elizabeth was asister of Spece of Spicey Glover and is mentioned in Maury Co. records. Theirchildren were Mary Gillstrap, Stephen, George, Emily, Sarah, Martha, Nancy,David G., Spicey J., William D. Josiah M. From the birthplaces of children oncensus Bible records sent by a descendant, Joshua Elizabeth were in Missouriby March 1833 when son Stephen was born..http://www.gendex.com:8080/display?page=individualssurname=M...

Notes for EDMUND GANNAWAY:The brother of Martha who married James R. McDearmon

6. RICHARD3 MCDEARMON (BRYAN2, MICHAEL1 MCDEARMAN) was born 1766, and died October 31, 1829. He married LETITIA FORD March 14, 1789 in Amelia County VA (Rev. John Finney -Methodist). She was born December 31, 1768, and died January 30, 1851 in Appomattox Co., VA.

9. JOSHUA JOSIAH4 DAVIDSON (ELIZABETH LUCRETIA CREASEY3 MCDEARMAN, DUDLEY2, MICHAEL1) was born July 11, 1793 in Prince Edward Co, Va, and died October 13, 1850 in Diamond Mo or Oct 10th. He married ELIZABETH ANN GLOVER November 25, 1819 in Maury Co., Tn. She was born August 28, 1800 in Prince Edward Co, Va.

Notes for JOSHUA JOSIAH DAVIDSON:who was a Baptist Preacher in Greene Co., Mo and in therein 1840, 1850, 1860 census.In 1880 census, Josiah is in douglass Co., Mo. Joshua born July 11, 1793- died Oct 13, 1850 according to his headstone in an old cemetery about one mile south of Geo. Washington Carver monument in Newton County, Missouri. He moved his family to Washington Township, Newton County, Missouri, before son Stephen was born in 1833.Ten other children including son, George, and daujghters mary, Sarah, and Nancy.

10. BRACKET4 DAVISON (ELIZABETH LUCRETIA CREASEY3 MCDEARMAN, DUDLEY2, MICHAEL1) was born November 17, 1796 in Prince Edward Co, Va, and died September 29, 1863 in Atterbury Cemetary, Charity, Dallas Co., MO. He married DELIAH HARDISON August 3, 1817 in Maury Co., Tn. She was born July 22, 1802 in Martin Co., NC, and died January 30, 1884 in Boyd, Dallas Co., MO.

Notes for BRACKET DAVISON:

Certificate for obtaining a probate thereof in due form was granted to them.Sixteen years, five months, and nine days after May 15, 1809, the 200 acres onLittle Sandy Creek where Joshua Davidson (sic) and his wife, Sarah, and theirnine children had lived, was sold at Public Auction-November 24, 1825! (ThatIndenture spelled Sarah's and Joshua's name DAVISON five times. This probablyis the document which caused Bracket Davidson-Davison to drop the second 'd'from the family name, as he did in 1830 while he still lived in Maury County,Tennessee. Bracket, born November 17, 1796, in Prince Edward County, Virginia,was a grandson of Joshua Senior and Sarah Brackett Davison; and the second sonof George and Lucretia McDearmon Davidson.)Guardian to daughters of his sister Nancy (Lucy and Hannah)..

BRACKET DAVIDSON-DAVISON AND HIS FAMILY (1796-1863)

Brackett Davidson (as spelled in his grandmother, Sarah's 1808 Will) was born inPrince Edward County, Virginia, November 17, 1796. He was the second son ofGeorge Davidson and Lucretia McDearmon, both of whom were born in Prince EdwardCounty. Bracket's parents moved from Virginia to Maury (pronounced Murry)County, Tennessee, sometime after his grandmother died in 1809. Maury Countyhad been formed in 1807 (The final settlement of Sarah Brackett Davidson's Will,in 1825, spelled the family name Davison, and may have been the reason Bracketdropped the second d.)Bracket, and his older brother Joshua (1793-1850), served in the War of 1812 at the age of 15-16. Brackett was also one of the largest slave-owners on Polk/Callas Co in 1840 census. Pension records in the National Archives Building, Washington, D.C., show thatBracket, nearing his 18th birthday, volunteered September 27, 1814, in MauryCounty for a term of six months. He was assigned to Captain James McMahon'sCompany (also refereed to at various times as Captain Samuel Crawford's Company)of Mounted Gunmen in the service of the United States. His company belonged tothe First Regiment, commanded by Colonel Dyer. The record reads:"On the evening of December 23, 1814, being engaged in a battle with the enemyat or near a place called New Orleans" Bracket "received a ball in his lefthand". He was honorably discharged at Nashville, Tennessee, on April 27, 1815having been declared "three-fourths disabled from obtaining his subsistence bymanual labor", signed by David C. Kerr, Surgeon of the U.S. Hospital. Bracket,therefore received a small pension for the rest of his life.The Battle of New Orleans was one of the greatest American victories against theBritish. Unfortunately, it was fought after the peace treaty had been signed inEngland, but before General Andrew Jackson and the British attackers got theword.The British had burned Washington, D.C., August 14, 1814; and the Britishvessels and troops sailed southward into the Gulf of Mexico for attacks alongthe southern coast of the U.S. General Jackson was the commander of theTennessee, Louisiana, and Mississippi Territory forces. In late August he askedTennessee Governor Blount to send the Brigade of Tennessee Mounted Militiamen,without delay. Bracket Davidson had been in the service little more than a weekwhen he, among 2, 000 men assembled in Fayetteville under Brigadier General JohnCoffee who, like Bracket, was a native of Prince Edward County, Virginia. Atdawn October 5th, they began the long ride to Camp Gaines, 70 miles north ofMobile. The brigade traveled the four hundred seventy miles in eighteen days.General Jackson then sent Coffee and his mounted riflemen westward to the Mouthof Sandy Creek, north of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The British, however, wereoutfitting a fleet of fifty vessels at Negril Bay, Jamaica, for the attack onNew Orleans. So Jackson had to order Coffee to make a forced march from BatonRouge to New Orleans-one hundred fifty miles-in five days. They arrivedDecember 20. Coffee remarked "One Tennessean can run down ten sailors andwornout Europeans thru mud, water, and brush!"

The British army on the night of December 23rd were ready to attack, and did. Apowerful thrust by Coffee's men sent the British reeling backward; and that wasthe engagement in which Bracket Davidson "received a ball in his left hand." (See Elbert L. Watson's TENNESSEE AT THE BATTLE OF NEW ORLEANS written on the150th anniversary, 1965.)Bracket, his older brother, Joshua, and Nathaniel Wollard must have recounted totheir children many times-their long hard marches in that campaign of Tennesseemilitiamen. Of course, it was not the first long trip those three had made. The Davidson's had moved overland about eight hundred miles from Virginia toMaury County, and Nathaniel Wollard had "walked eight hundred miles" fromBeaufort County, North Carolina, to Maury-only a year or so before the boysvolunteered as mounted gunmen. The three returned with their company by Way ofNatchez Trace, the old Indian and pioneers' road to Nashville, Tennessee, wherethey were discharged in April 1815.James Hardison, a veteran of the Revolutionary War, also moved about eighthundred miles overland, from Martin County, North Carolina, and settled on FlatCreek, north of Duck Creek, in Maury County. He purchased six hundred fortyacres in 1812. Bracket Davidson's father bought one hundred acres nearHardison's home in 1816. Nathaniel Wollard married James Hardison's daughter,Margaret, in 1816.On August 3, 1817, Jacob Scott, Justice of the Peace, Franklin County, Tennessee, married Bracket Davidson and Delila Hardison, daughter of James Hardison. She was born July 22, 1802, in Martin County, North Carolina, and wasfifteen years of age when she and Bracket were married, but it was not ashotgun wedding! Their first child was born May 11, 1818. Delila's mother wasMary Robason (Robeson) who was fifteen or sixteen when she married JamesHardison in 1789. Mary and James had seven children when Mary died in 1804, atwhich time Delila was only two, and Margaret was thirteen.Bracket and Delila would live a colorful life. Tennessee had become the sixteenth state when it was admitted to the Union June 1, 1796--the year Bracketwas born in Virginia. Bracket lived during the administrations of fifteenPresidents-from John Adams to Abraham Lincoln. Delila survived fivemore-Andrew Johnson, Ulysses S. Grant, Rutherford B. Hayes, James A. Garfield,and Chester Abram Garfield.To the union of Delila Hardison and Bracket Davidson, fourteen children wereborn-the first twelve in Maury County, Tennessee. The last two in Polk County,Missouri. Their children were:1) Thomas McDearmon, born May 16, 1818, perhaps named after Delila's oldestbrother and her mother's family. Thomas married Elizabeth Barclay in PolkCounty March 22, 1841. He was ambushed and killed during the Civil War period.2) Dr. George, born February 22, 1820, named for Bracket's father. Georgemarried (1st) Rebecca Wollard (1819-1865); and (2nd) her widowed sister,Elizabeth Wollard Edmisson, in 1866. George, doctor and farmer, died January 4,1887, buried in Dallas County, Missouri.3) Fanny Manerva, b Oct 22, 1821, d Oct 28, 1840, never married.4) Lucretia, b July 28, 1823, m Durrett Barclay Apr 15, 1841, d Feb 25, 1904. Lucretia was named for her father's mother.5) James Hardison, b Jul 28, 1825, m Lucy Barclay Mar 24, 1844. He was namedfor his grandfather. He was ambushed (killed) during the Civil War in DallasCounty.6) Milton McMacklin, b Sep 9, 1826, m Rosa Glover July 24, 1845, d Jun 12,1912. He probably was named for a McMacklin family, neighbors of his maternalgrandmother's family who may also have been her parent's.7) Margaret Catherine, b Jul 13, 1828, m Joe Stuart May 7, 1845, d Mar 29,1910. Margaret was probably named for her mother's sister Margaret HardisonWollard, and Catharine McDearmon who was her great-grandmother.8) Calvin Bracket, b Mar 1, 1830, m (1st) Matilda Jane Glover May 10, 1849, and(2nd) Mrs. Rachael Steinbaugh Bridges Sep 6, 1864, d Dec 6, 1903. He died inRockwall County, Texas.9) William H. (ardison?), b Jan 5, 1832, m Sarah Jane Davis Feb 3, 1853, d Aug21, 1855. He probably was named for Delila's oldest brother who died in 1830.10) Sarah Elizabeth, b Feb 6, 1834, m John R. Glover Feb 3, 1853, d Dec 6,1887. She was probably named for Bracket's mother, Sarah Davidson.11) Joshua, b Oct 13, 1835, m (1st) Henrietta Bennett c 1855, and (2nd) MaryBennett (Henrietta's sister) c 1856-7, d Apr 10, 1908. Joshua must have beennamed for Bracket's brother and their father who died in 1771.12) Mary Jane, b Jul 30, 1837, m William Kennedy Atteberry, d May 20, 1911. She is buried at Charity, Dallas County, Missouri. Bracket's sister andDelila's mother were both named Mary.13) John Humphrey, b Oct 30, 1843, m (1st) Susan Virginia Ragsdale Dec 19,1861, and (2nd) Susan E. Turner, d Mar 10, 1922. Susan Ragsdale died Apr 29,1898. John Humphrey was named for Delila's brother, Humphrey, who was two yearsyounger than she and possibly for John who was Sarah and Joshua's first son. (It is suspected that an infant died in 1841.)14) Charles Isum Joel, b Nov, 1846, d Sep 9, 1848, age under two. The nameJoel came from Delila's brother, Joel, who was two years younger than she andCharles from her brother who was seven years older than she.It appears that Bracket and Delila chose their children's names from theirparent and grandparent families, somehow omitting two of Bracket's great-aunts,Ann and Phoebe Davidson.Just what kind of man was Bracket Davison? He apparently was a respected,law-abiding, honest business man of the times in Tennessee. He was a staunchmember of the Christian Church throughout his life in both Tennessee andMissouri. "All his family were deeply religious Christians," his grandson,Dolan Bracket Davison, said.

Bracket's business was farming, begun after his discharge from the War of 1812in 1815. He assembled about three hundred acres, adjoining his father's land inthe Flat Creek area, north of Duck River, in eastern Maury County, Tennessee. The deed records now in Columbia show the purchases he made from 1821 and theland he sold in 1838 before he moved his family to Polk County, Missouri, thatyear.Bracket's father, George Davidson, bought one hundred acres on Flat Creek (atributary to Duck River in eastern Maury County) for $200 on May 20, 1816, paidto Samuel Polk who received a grant of five thousand acres following theRevolutionary War. Samuel was from Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, asurveyor and farmer who was a friend and neighbor of the Davidson's in IredaleCounty, North Carolina. (Samuel was the father of President James K. Polk whoseterm was in 1845-1849.)Bracket bought fifty acres from Polk's grant, and one hundred ten acres thatadjoined Polk's south line, in 1821. Bracket also bough seventy-eight acres onFlat Creek, adjoining the Polk grant, from his brother, Joshua Davidson, June 5,1821, for $350. The one hundred ten acres became Bracket's home, and adjoinedhis father's land. (Bracket's father-in-law, James Hardison, had bought sixhundred forty acres on Flat Creek December 12, 1812, soon after he arrived inMaury County from Martin County, North Carolina.)Bracket sold his Flat Creek lands in 1838, two hundred twenty-eight and one-halfacres, to Alfred Young for $1,300. He had also sold seventy acres for $140 toSolomon Bunch on January 9, 1836.All of Bracket's wealth and business activities, however, were not in realestate. He owned, bought, and sold slaves-men, women, and children. He tookthirty or more slaves with him to Missouri in 1838. The chattel records in theColumbia Courthouse Maury County, Tennessee, included some interestingtransactions in human ownership.He paid Samuel Blackeley $450 for one negro girl named "Fanny" January 27, 1823. In another transaction, October 11, 1828, Samuel Dunlap sold Bracket "a negrogirl slave named Rachael, of dark complexion, about eleven or twelve years old,said negro to be sound and healthy." The price was $250.Bracket sold a negro woman, Amy, seventeen or eighteen years old, with her threemonths old boy "Edmund" to John C. Brooke for $600 December 5, 1825.In more exacting legal language the Bill of Sale for one negro man read:"Know all men by these present, that I, John McMeen of the County of Maury,State of Tennessee, have this day bargained and sold unto Bracket Davison (sic)of the County and State aforesaid, one negro man named Balaam or Bulum, abouttwenty-nine years of age for the sum of six hundred and twenty-five dollars inhand, for which negro I warrant to be sound in body and mind and slave for lifefor which I defend from all persons forever. December 29, 1834, my hand andseal." (signed John McMeen.)Balaam was, indeed, a fine specimen of male slave. He was "stood", seven negrowomen having children from him in one week. He was not only a good stud, but afine negro, good worker.

Negro slavery had begun in America in 1619 when a Dutch ship stopped to buyprovisions from the eleven little villages (Jamestown and others) along theJames River, Virginia. They sold twenty negros to the colonists who needed themto work in the tobacco fields. Tobacco had become the most valuable Americancrop, to be exported to England, where its habits of use spread and demand grewlarger.1619 was also the year that the London Company sent ninety young women over tothe new colony. The women were not sold, but all did marry very soon, thehusbands required to pay expenses of the journey. Several other shiploads ofwomen were sent over. Homes were then built and men no longer thought ofbreaking up the colony. So amid the developments of tobacco (which became areligious, moral issue to many churchmen during the next three hundred years)and the introduction of slavery (which would tea the Americas apart during theperiod one hundred fifty to two hundred years hence), the basic stabilizinginfluence of women secured the family foothold which would make America thegreatest country of the world by the mid-nineteen hundreds.There were also white slaves, criminals sent from the English prisons, and also,"redemtioners" who agreed to work for a number of years to pay their passage tothe new land. The redemptioners were given a sum of money, good clothes, and,sometimes a horse when they had worked out their time. Some became goodcitizens, some lazy and bad, "living like the Indians."Missouri was admitted to the Union August 10, 1821, the twenty-fourth state andthe second one west of the Mississippi River. Polk County was created March 13,1835, and named for President James K. Polk. on January 29, 1841, the easternhalf of Polk County was formed into a separate county, its boundaries described,and named Niangua. That name was difficult to spell and write, however, and thename was changed to Dallas County in honor of George M. Dallas who had just beenelected Vice-President to serve with Polk from March 4, 1845, to March 3, 1849.Mark Reynolds was one of the first five settlers in Polk County, Missouri. Hesold Bracket Davison land on which he had settled and improved, lying on BuffaloHead Prairienorthwest of the Blue Mounds-in 1833; but Bracket did not move there from Maury County, Tennessee, until 1838. Two of Bracket's sons, Dr. George and Milton, also made land entries in the same township; the Robert and William Barclay had land in Township 33, Range 21. These heads of families lived in the same community. Three of Bracket'schildren (Thomas, Lucretia, and James) married Barclay children-Elizabeth,Durrett, and Lucy, respectively in March 1841, April, 1841, and March, 1844.When the early settlers (including Emanual Edmisson, Moses G. Bennett, NathanielWollard, and Bracket Davison) arrived in Polk County territory, they found avast wilderness and Osage Indian tribes. In place of roads, there were Indiantrails and paths. The wild game animals were numerous, deer, ducks, geese,quail, rabbits, and squirrels; also bobcat, coyotes, raccoon, grey wolf,'possums, and red fox. A few buffalo, elk and bears were soon killed or drivenout.In 1851, Bracket sold the Polk County farm and moved to his new farm about oneand one-half miles south of Charity, Dallas County, Missouri, where he liveduntil his death September 29, 1863. (His descendants say he owned ten slaveswhen he died.)In 1889 History of Missouri noted that the Bracket Davidson, Emanuel Edmisson,Moses G. Bennett, and Nathaniel Wollard families were in Polk County beforepresent-day Dallas County was formed from it in 1841. Bracket first settled ineastern present-day Polk County; but the other families located in the upperNiangua River watershed which includes Greasy Creek, all in present-day DallasCounty. The relative ages of these forefathers and wives are indicated by theyears of their births:

These families, related by marriage, move from Tennessee to Missouri in 1838 or1839. Missouri was the last of the eleven southern states to secede from the Union in1861. Missouri Unionists stopped secession in conventions on February 28 andMarch 9, 1861. The legislature condemned secession; but under the protectionof Confederate troops, secessionist members of the legislature adopted aresolution of secession at Neosho October 31, 1861, and the bitter controversywithin the state and within the families was cast. The family of Bracket and Delila Davison was torn apart. The 1860 Census of Dallas County recorded sixty-four year old Bracket living by himself. Delila was living with her daughter, Mary Jane Attebury.When Verne E. Davison, in 1957, called these census appearances to the attentionof Dolan Davison, one of Bracket's grandsons, his reply was, "Yes, I know but wedon't discuss it much. Our families are strict Christians and it's difficult tounderstand the troubles of the Civil War days, but Bracket and Delila weretogether again before he died." Two of Bracket and Delila's sons were ambushed and killed in a local skirmish one night during the War. They are buried in the family cemetery but without markers to designate their names. Evidently they were James Hardison Davidson(b January 28, 1825) and Thomas McDearmon Davidson (b May 16, 1818).John Humphrey Davison (1843-1922), Bracket's thirteenth child, served, in theUnion Army during the Civil War. Bracket's land was valued in the 1860 Census at $5,00 and his personal property as $14,700, which, no doubt, included his slaves. President Lincoln'sEmancipation Proclamation freed all slaves January 1, 1863, a near final blow toBracket, who still owned ten slaves. He was said to have owned seventy oreighty slaves in Tennessee and taken thirty or more to Missouri. Nine months after the Emancipation Proclamation, September 29, 1863, Bracket Davison died at his home in Dallas County, Missouri. "He was buried at the Attebury Shed Christian Church, which was organized principally by himself, Charley Davis, and Wash Atteberry, and was a strong organization until the Civil War. He was very loyal to his church until he died." according to his grandchildren's mimeographed "History of Bracket Davidson."In 1869 Delila Hardison Davison received letters from her brother Humphrey (twoyears younger than she) and Joel (two years older than she). Verne E. Davisonhas the letters.

Letters from Humphrey and Joel Hardison to Mrs. Delily Davidson, Spring Grove,Mo., handwritten on one sheet of paper, Humphrey's on one side and Joel's on theother.

State of Tennessee Maury Co.February the 14, 1869

My Dear Sister FamilyAs I have had the pleasure of reading a letter from you to Calvin Hardison I nowtake my pen in hand to answer it. I Cannot Express my self how glad it made mefeel to hear from you once more, as you give me good news that you are in theland of the living enjoying a reasonable portion of health. My Brothers Families are in Common health. As to my health it is not so good as it has beenheretofore But I am able to go about my Children their Children in commonhealth as far as I know. All of them are married But two one of them Is livingwith me My youngest Son (Sherod) he is in his 21st year. Humphrey is living inColumbia doing Business for his Self. Times are Dull Bacon worth $16.00 perhundred Corn $2.00 per Bushel, wheat $1.50 per Bushel Horses mules very highCattle higher than I ever knew them to be.Well Sister I would be glad you would come out here and live with me the Balanceof your days that you have to Stay on the Earth. I am very Able to take care ofyou not withstanding my great loss of Property During the war. I lost two Sonsin time of war one of them Died at home the other was in the Rebel Army he wastaken Prisner at Ft Donalson and died on his way to Prison. I will not attemptto give you all the knews as some of the Rest is going to write with me We havea know Church in one mile of my house. May our heavenly Father Preserve you inyour old age. Save you in Heaven is my Prare for ever and ever Amen. H.Hardison.Humphrey's penmanship was very good.

Berlin Marshall Co. TennFeb 20, 1869

Dear SisterAs Brother Humphrey has written you the special for a letter, I will only dropyou a few lines enforming you that myself and family are all in usual goodhealth.

I should like to have the privilege and pleasure to see you again in this lifefor many long years have passed away since last we met to see each others facesand hold sweet converse together.You speak in your favor of trying to come out to Tennessee once more. All ofyour relatives would be please to see you, and the children and grand childrenof ours would present a host of relatives that are now strangers to you.Times are still somewhat dull. We hope for better days However if you fail tosee them we can still cherish a lively Hope there are better things prepared forthe children of our Heavenly Father than earth with all its treasures canpromise. May Heaven aid us to live so that we may each and all receive neverfading never ceasing blessings when there is no more parting. Your Bro. JoelHardison.Joel's penmanship was fairly good.

Delila lived to be eighty-one years, six months, and eight days of age. Shedied January 30, 1884, in Dallas County, Missouri. She left the followadditional records:A cemetery about one mile east and one-fourth mile north of March, Missouri, wasthe burial place of "Bracket Davison (sic), born November 17, 1796. DiedSeptember 29, 1863."; "Wife of Bracket Davison Born July 22, 1802 Died January30, 1884"

Also John Humphrey DavisonBorn October 30, 1843Died March 10, 1893

Dr. George Davison Born February 22, 1820Died January 4, 1887

and his first wife "Rebecca Davison"Born January 13, 1819Died February 9, 1865

BRACKET'S PENSION

The pension afforded Bracket for his injury, suffered in the Battle of NewOrleans December 24, 1814, required several examinations, affidavits, inquiries,etc. The Surgeon of the U.S. Hospital, David C. Kerr, declared Bracket ;was"three-fourths disabled from obtaining his subsistence from manual labor." Heapparently was placed on pension June 26, 1822, seven and one-half years afterhe was wounded. The pension was $6 per month until 1840 when it was "reduced to$5.33 per month."Brackets three years older brother, Joshua, and a Solomon Herring attested "thatthey were sent into battle with Bracket Davison and testify that he came outwounded."A document in the National Archives, Washington, D.C., reads: Claim of widowfor service pension, November 26, 1878, Dallas County, Missouri. Mrs. DelilaDavison, aged seventy-seven, Boyd, Missouri, that she is the widow of BracketDavison.

Marriage August 3, 1817, by one Jacob Scott, Justice of the Peace, name beforemarriage was Delila Hardison-neither had been previously married-husband diedSeptember 29, 1863, at home in Dallas County-she has not remarried-residentsince discharge Maury County, Tennessee, and Polk and Dallas Counties, Missouri. Signed X her mark.Following her death, the Postmaster advised the Federal Pension Office that"Delila Davison is dead". He didn't know the exact date, but one of herchildren thought it "was in early February." (January 30, 1884, actually.)Eleven direct ancestors of Verne Elbert Davison moved from North Carolina and

Virginia to Maury County, Tennessee; and settled in nearby communities north andsouth of Duck Creek, on Flat Creek, Little Flat Creek, and Cedar Creek in theeastern part of the county near Marshall County, in the period between 1810 and1842. They were:

James Hardison (1759-1842)Margaret Hardison (1791-1840) first daughter of James. She married NathanielWollard in 1816Delila Hardison (1802-1884), second daughter of James. She married BracketDavidson-Davison in 1817.George Davison (1754-1838) and his wife.Lucretia McDearmon (1769-1850's)Bracket Davidson (1796-1863) who married Delila HardisonJohn Wollard (1758-1833), father of Reverend Nathaniel Wollard.Sarah Wollard (1817-1899), first daughter of Margaret Hardison and ReverendNathaniel Wollard. She married Moses G. Bennett in 1834.Elizabeth Wollard (1822-1901), fifth daughter of the Reverend Nathaniel Wollardfamily. She married John S. Edmisson first, in 1847, and Dr. George Davisonsecond, in 1865.Moses G. Bennett (1813-1890) who married Sarah Wolard, c. 1834-5.John Wollard, George Davison, and James Hardison died in Maury County, Tennessee, in 1833, 1838, and 1842 respectively. The eight other ancestors ofVerne E. Davison moved to Missouri in 1837 and 1838--lived, died, and are buriedin Dallas County.In addition to the eight ancestors who moved from Maury to Dallas County, eightmore inhabitants became direct line ancestors of Verne E. Davison in the period from 1838 to 1893. They were:Emanual Edmisson (1794-1857), and his first wife.Nancy Johnson (c 1800-1840), married about 1817John S. Edmisson (1820-1863), son of Nancy and Emanual. He married ElizabethWollard, daughter of Rev. Nathaniel, in 1847.Joshua Davison (1835-1908), and his second wife.Mary Bennett (1841-1902), married in 1856. He was the eleventh child of Bracketand Delila Hardison Davison; she a daughter of Sarah Wollard and Moses G.Bennett.William Alfred Davison (1857-1881), son of Joshua Davison, and Nancy MargaretEdmisson (1859-1901), daughter of John S., were married in 1876.George Elbert Davison (1878-1955), son of Nancy Margaret and William AlfredDavison was Verne Elbert Davison's father.XI

They were some of the first settlers of Dallas Co., MOThey had 14 kids

Notes for SALLY DAVISON:born ca. 1798- died before 1841 married Geroge Davidson in Maury County, Tennessee, about 1815. One issue, Miles Davidson, born about 1816 according to Census of Polk County, Missouri, 1850 where grandmother Lucretia, 81, was living with him, a wife, and one child.

Child of SALLY DAVISON and GEORGE DAVIDSON is: i. MILES5 DAVISON.

Notes for MILES DAVISON:Orphan in 1841, entitled to his mother's share of the George Davidosn estate. miles was the grandson.

12. JUDGE JAMES ROBERTSON4 MCDEARMON (JAMES R.3, BRYAN2, MICHAEL1 MCDEARMAN) was born 1805, and died 1848. He married MARTHA GANAWAY 1826, daughter of GREGORY GANNAWAY and RHODA ROBERTSON. She was born 1802, and died 1889.

Notes for JUDGE JAMES ROBERTSON MCDEARMON:descendants live today in California,

He was state auditor of Missouri and a candidate for governor at the time of his death.

More About JUDGE JAMES ROBERTSON MCDEARMON:Occupation: Judge in Missouri (1840's)

13. JAMES4 MCDEARMON (RICHARD3, BRYAN2, MICHAEL1 MCDEARMAN) was born 1790, and died 1867. He married MARY DANIEL, daughter of JOHN DANIEL and SARAH CUNNINGHAM. She was born 1788, and died 1866.

Notes for JAMES MCDEARMON:Roll of officers of the 63rd Regiment has been presered for the year 1830 with the name of James McDearmon sering as quartermaster..Public Education: First school commissioners, June 1818 was James McDearmon, holding the office of Treasurer 1837-45..PoliticsIn the Virginia Whig Party(1832) we have the name James McDearmon representing the Jackson Party, they later concurred the Van Buren nomination for President. In 1836 you will find the Name of James McDearmon and Samuel McDearmon serving on the an Buren Committee. The Democrats carried the county 273 otes for Van Buren..ClergyRev. James McDearmon appears performing many marriage cermonies in Appomattox Co., Va.

Notes for WILLIAM JOSEPH MCDEARMAN:Joined the Confederate Army 1861.was about 20 yrs oldPetition #10774.Correnth MS in the Battle of Shilo three days we whipped old Grant captured his encampment slepted in his tents and ate up their provisions helped ourselves to the contents of the sattlers store whisky, tobacco, sugars, fride ham, boiled coffee, and they looked like a siclone had struck them. Got us a new US blanket, each, a Yanky canteen. I got two US blankets a new knapsack a dozen shirts all the yanky tents was hauled to Correnth.I was forced to take the oath at Point Lookout Maryland at the mouth of the Potomac River.I have something over 200 pages written giving my experience from ime I enlisted in May 61 to July 9th 65 experents in takn that oath how I was fed in prison, my trip home my experience in the 8 battles how I found my first wife, ect, but I am so poor not able to put it in a book form.My father bought an old water mill he I rebuilt it and I run the gris and saw my health give way then I bought a farm and raised cotton corn etc. Through the kindness of a friend while I was in Camp Douglas prison Ill. where I first was taken, sent me the name and address of a kentucky young lady who agreed to correspond with me who after the war I went to see her in Bardstown Ky. We had corresponded for 18 months before I saw her, had exchanged pictures, in Dec 1866 the 18th we was married and lived together 36 happy years, raised 3 fine children one daughter 2 sons the youger Son was drowned in Ohio at Paduca my daughter died in Louisanna left 4 children 2 girls two boys. My wife died in Trenton 1903--waas married the second time 1904 lived together 9 happy years lossed her 1913. .Served under Gen A.S.Johnson; Gen Joseph E. Johnson; Gen B.F. CheathamServed with Joe Cook, Henry Woods, WF McBee, Sam Reed, Sid Hartsfield

More About WILLIAM JOSEPH MCDEARMAN:Military service: 12th Tennessee, company H

Notes for JAMES CALVIN MCDEARMON:born in New Canton, Buckingham Co., He was reared in Tennessee. He sered in the 12th Infantry, Cheatham's Division of the Tennessee Volunteers?, was wounded at Murfreesboror and at Franklin, before surrendering with Johnston at Durham in 1865. He was representative from the 9th District in Tennessee to Congress, 1893-97. He married Theodora McCulloch, daughter of M.T. McCulloch of hayward, Tenn.

15. LEVI5 DAVIDSON (JOSHUA JOSIAH4, ELIZABETH LUCRETIA CREASEY3 MCDEARMAN, DUDLEY2, MICHAEL1) was born 1800, and died 1853 in Perry Co., Tn. He married (1) SARAH LAMBERSON. She was born 1817 in migrated to Barry Co., Mo. after Levi's death. He married (2) MARTHA FELTON. She died Bet. 1837 - 1838.

Notes for LEVI DAVIDSON:Perry Co., TN land Survey records, both as part of survey crew as chain carrier, etc., and lan owner.

Notes for SARAH LAMBERSON:She petitioned to have Alvonee Daidson of Greene Co., Mo appointed as guradian of her monor children in the estate of Levi in Jan. 3, 1854

16. CAPT. JOHN KIRKPATRICK5 MCDEARMON (JUDGE JAMES ROBERTSON4, JAMES R.3, BRYAN2, MICHAEL1 MCDEARMAN) was born 1829, and died 1896. He married LUCY ANN ORRICK 1854, daughter of CAPT. ORRICK and URILLA STONEBREAKER.

20. COL. SAMUEL DANIEL5 MCDEARMON (JAMES4, RICHARD3, BRYAN2, MICHAEL1 MCDEARMAN) was born November 18, 1815, and died May 16, 1871. He married MARY FRANCES PHILADELPHIA WALTON, daughter of COL. WALTON and ELIZABETH CHICK. She was born 1815, and died 1884.

Notes for COL. SAMUEL DANIEL MCDEARMON:Major Samuel D. McDearmon was elected to the House of Delegates from Prince Edward In 1844. Major Samuel D. McDearmon was elected to the House of Delegates from Prince Edward Co. in 1844, was elected to the House of Delegates from Appomattox County in April, 1846, without opposition. Served in the House of Delegates for the Virginia General Assembly- Dec 1, 1845 through Mar. 6, 1846.1843- S.D. McDearmon was elected to the House of Delegates oer the Whig Candidate, being described as a "Polk, Texas, anti-bank, anti-tariff, anti-Distribution man..."From the "History of Prince Edward County, notes: #371 pg. 757 says "Richmond Wig. Apr.28, 1846. The presence of Major McDearmon in the House of Delegates from Prince Edward may have been a factor in part responsible for the establishment of Appomattox County, Va..Tax collector:Samuel D. McDearmon was appointed district collector of the Confederate tax for Prince Edward and Appomattox in 1863..Colonel Samuel McDearmon 1815 1871 spouse: Mary Wharton Mary E. McDearmon spouse: David Ambrose Plunkett Samuel D. (Col) McDearmon spouse: Mary Walton Robert McDearmon Plunkett Jan-24-1899 .Wife is Wilson County Tennessee in 1850 census

Notes for MARY FRANCES PHILADELPHIA WALTON:Listed in the Tennessee 1850 Wilson County Census withMaryDidamaSusan Foutchliving with her

22. G. G.5 MCDEARMAN (JAMES ARCHIBALD4, JOSEPH3 MCDEARMON, BRYAN2, MICHAEL1 MCDEARMAN) was born 1825 in Tennessee 1860 Census, G-149-272, and died September 7, 1860. He married MASILLA MCDEARMAN. She was born 1825.

23. JAMES MCDEARMON6 MCDEARMON (CAPT. JOHN KIRKPATRICK5, JUDGE JAMES ROBERTSON4, JAMES R.3, BRYAN2, MICHAEL1 MCDEARMAN) was born 1856, and died 1891. He married MARY IRWIN. She was born 1867, and died 1931.

24. MINNEHAHA6 MCDEARMON (CAPT. JOHN KIRKPATRICK5, JUDGE JAMES ROBERTSON4, JAMES R.3, BRYAN2, MICHAEL1 MCDEARMAN) was born 1860. She married GEORGE SIBLEY JOHNS. He was born December 27, 1857, and died July 16, 1941.

More About GEORGE SIBLEY JOHNS:Occupation: Editor of the St. Louis Post Dispatch

29. WILLIAM JAMES6 MCDEARMON (COL. SAMUEL DANIEL5, JAMES4, RICHARD3, BRYAN2, MICHAEL1 MCDEARMAN) was born February 10, 1844, and died June 1925. He married MARY FRANCES STICKLEY, daughter of WILLIAM REV and MARGARET ROBERTSON. She was born February 15, 1851, and died December 31, 1890.

31. JEAN7 MCDEARMON (JAMES MCDEARMON6, CAPT. JOHN KIRKPATRICK5, JUDGE JAMES ROBERTSON4, JAMES R.3, BRYAN2, MICHAEL1 MCDEARMAN) was born 1882. She married ARTHUR BARRETT.

Child of JEAN MCDEARMON and ARTHUR BARRETT is: i. ORRICK8 BARRETT.

32. ORRICK7 MCDEARMON (JAMES MCDEARMON6, CAPT. JOHN KIRKPATRICK5, JUDGE JAMES ROBERTSON4, JAMES R.3, BRYAN2, MICHAEL1 MCDEARMAN) was born 1884, and died 1958. He married HELEN LANGALIER. She was born 1886, and died 1960.

33. FIELDING8 MCDEARMON (ORRICK7, JAMES MCDEARMON6, CAPT. JOHN KIRKPATRICK5, JUDGE JAMES ROBERTSON4, JAMES R.3, BRYAN2, MICHAEL1 MCDEARMAN) was born 1913. He married LUCY ELIZABETH HART. She was born 1913.